Another Chance - Book Three

by Zarek Dragon

 

Jackson took Austin to see the horse before officially giving him ownership. Jim, Zac and Jake tagged along to see the horse, as well. As they approached the horse, Austin was slightly disappointed at seeing the horse has a white blaze, but considering he was free, he decided that he was close enough.

"He's beautiful," Austin stated.

Jim pointed out, "He's not pure black like you wanted."

"That's fine, he's close enough," Austin averred. "And the blaze makes him more unique. You may find several pure black Mustangs and have trouble telling them apart, but can you tell me there is another mustang with an identical blaze."

"There is one more thing about this horse, and it's the main reason that I didn't want to keep him for myself," Jackson admitted.

Austin looked worried, "Wh-, what's that?"

Jackson smiled, "He's a gelding."

Austin looked thoughtful for a moment and Jim whispered in his ear, "He was castrated, which means he'll be calmer for you and easier to ride."

Austin motioned for Jim to lower his head and then whispered in his ear, "Castrated, as in had his…?" Jim didn't let Austin finish but Austin's hands went to cover his junk and Jim just nodded and laughed. "Poor guy," Austin added.

Jake looked at Zac, "Why doesn't Uncle Jackson want a gelding?"

"Because he raises horses and geldings can't be used for breeding," Zac explained.

Being a five-year-old, Jake popped out with, "What's breeding?"

Jim fielded this question, "It's when you put a male and female horse together to create baby horses."

"So did Uncle Matt breed Aunt Gina?" was his next question.

Zac started to laugh. Jackson smiled, "He sure did."

Austin and Jake played while Jim checked on the horses. After he was done, he started getting the horses ready for their ride. Zac came out of the office, "Hey hon, what are you doing at noon tomorrow?"

Jim smiled, "Judge Buchanan and Jacob's parents are coming here to spend time with Jake, why?"

"Crap!" Zac stated. "We have two families wanting to take riding lessons. I figure Joe can take one, but I need someone else for the other."

"What about Caleb?" Jim questioned.

Zac's face shined like a light had just came on, "I had forgotten about him. Since he's been busy with Jeff, I hardly see him anymore."

Jim kissed Zac and suggested, "Give him a call and if he can't do it, I do have an idea."

A few minutes later, Zac poked his head out of the office, "Caleb said that he needs the money, so he'll be here." Jim gave the OK signal and smiled.

Jim found Jake and Austin playing, "I have the mustang and Gold saddled. Jake, do you want to ride with Austin or on your pony?"

Jake watched as Austin pointed at himself, "I can ride with Austin." Austin started jumping up and down like he had just won the best prize ever, causing Jim to chuckle. It really did Jim good seeing how the boys got along so well.

Jim helped Jake onto the horse and then held him while Austin climbed on. Austin had to use a step to get on. "Should we add a rope ladder to your saddle?" Jim jested.

Austin stuck his tongue out at Jim. Then he replied, "No, you watch, by next summer when I come down to stay with you, I'll be tall enough to not need it."

"Speaking of which," Jim responded, "you know that Zac and I are considering getting a second son. When I graduate, we will be looking for another place so Nick can move his house and sell it. Should we look for a four-bedroom house so you can have your own room or a three bedroom and you share Jake's room?"

"I wouldn't have a problem with sharing rooms with Jake, but if I can have my own room, I would like that," Austin replied.

Jim explained to Austin, "We're hoping that we can put a down payment on ranch land and maybe build a house, but it depends on what's out there."

Austin smiled, "That would be cool, you like designing houses and that's where you have fun playing the Sims games. I can see you taking one of your designs and having it made into a house."

Jim laughed, "I can't say that I haven't thought about it. My biggest problem would be in deciding which one because I like them all."

Austin was encouraging, "If you do decide to build, you should really have them build one of your houses. All of them are good and I know you'd be happier in one of them than an already built home or one that someone else designs."

Jim was really feeling good; Austin was playing the right cards to build Jim's ego. "At the risk of sounding conceited, I have to agree with you. When I graduate, part of me wants to take architecture, but I decided that I want to take computers and animal husbandry, mainly focusing on horses."

Austin gave Jim a funny look, "You want to marry a horse?"

Jim chuckled, "No, I am happy with the husband that I have. Animal husbandry is dealing with the care of animals. While I have learned a lot about horses, I know that there is so much more I can learn. Dad never went to college; he was taught by his dad and he was just starting to teach me when…" Jim couldn't finish his sentence.

Austin looked up at Jim, "I understand what you're saying. He would be proud of you, especially for taking steps to follow in his footstep even though he can't be here to teach you. I was so young when we moved to Japan, I never really got to know Uncle Jon, but he loved you very much, I know that much from hearing Mom and Aunt Heather talking."

"I know," Jim smiled at Austin, "I've always known, and he lives in my heart and memories even though they are hard to hug. Dad does visit me in my dreams, as you already know, and he's always telling me how proud he is. Talking about him makes me happy and sad at the same time."

Jake had to ask, "How can you be both at the same time?"

Austin was first to respond, "He's happy talking about what a great guy Uncle Jon was but he misses him."

Jim nodded his head, "You hit that nail right on the head." They finished their ride, still talking about Jon Bolt and reminiscing about what he was like. By the time they finished riding, Jake wished that he could have met him. The rest of the day was a blur in comparison.

Jim and Jake were at the ranch early. Austin offered to help Jim get his work done so he could freshen up before the judge and the Bates arrived. Jake was playing out in the yard. Jim told him to stay clean for when his grandparents arrived, but being a young boy, Jake managed to get dirty.

Jim was washing Jake as best as he could when Judge Buchanan walked into the office. Jim began to apologize for Jake not being properly cleaned. "He's a young boy; I bet he was having fun," Judge Buchanan stated. "I bet when you were his age, you got even dirtier."

Jim chuckled, "And how, I remember getting scolded for getting my church clothes dirty. It was one of the few times I got in trouble."

Judge Buchanan smiled, "See, I tell you what, take him into the bathroom to change his clothes and then we'll take him outside to meet Jacob's parents."

Jim looked down, "I didn't think to bring him a change of clothes."

"Then," Judge Buchanan said, "I hope these fit." He handed Jake a gift bag. Jake pulled out a purple t-shirt and a pair of Levi jeans.

Jim started to ask Jake what he's supposed to say but before he got the first syllable out, he heard Jake, "Thank you, Grandpa Joshua." Then Jake gave him a hug.

Jim took Jake back into the bathroom and washed him thoroughly. Then Jake put the new jeans and shirt on. The jeans were a little big and Jim had to roll them up as well as put Jake's belt to use. The shirt was a little big, too. Jim giggled with Jake, "Well you have room to grow. And before I forget to mention it, I am proud of you for saying thank you without needing to be told."

Jake smiled, "Aunt Sallie told us that we should always say thank you when someone gives us something. Grandma Marilyn and Grandma Heather agreed when I told them after they said they were proud, too."

Jim was a little choked up, "Aunt Sallie was right to teach you that, but still you are the one who did it and I am so proud of you."

"I love you too, Daddy," Jake said, giving Jim a hug.

They went back out and the judge looked at Jake, "It's a little big on you."

Jim grinned, "It just means that he has room for growth."

Judge Buchanan held his hands out to pick Jake up. Jake looked at Jim and saw his daddy smile and nod his head. Jake walked over to his grandpa and Joshua picked him up. "Before we go outside, I thought you would like to know, Judge Prescott has officially retired. I will be in town for a few weeks while we find someone to fill his position. And I hear that Judge Sprayberry may be moving to the Federal Courts."

Jackson smiled at the mention of his husband's name, "Yes, he has a second interview in Washington and this one will not be a short one."

"So you know Judge Sprayberry well?" Judge Buchanan was a bit surprised.

Everyone chuckled, then Jackson explained, "I know him intimately, he's my husband. I'm Jackson Sprayberry."

Judge Buchanan joined the chuckling. "I should hope you know him well, then. What do you think his chances are of getting the position?"

"Well, when he was first approached, he was one of nine candidates," Jackson replied. "That interview was just a few hours long. This interview, they are down to three prospects and he was told to clear his schedule indefinitely. They are going to thoroughly interview all three and were told they will be in Washington for a minimum of a week, but they are unsure of how long all the interviews will be. Even when they are done, they won't have a decision right away."

"And from what I hear, this may not be his last interview," Judge Buchanan added. "Once he becomes a Federal Judge, he has the position as long as he wants it, unless he commits a felony, so they want to be sure he's the right person before having the President appoint him. Being a Federal Judge is a lot like being a Justice of the Supreme Court."

Zac looked at Judge Buchanan, "So, if you're going to be in town for a few weeks, do you have some place to stay, Judge?"

"Please, call me Joshua, and yes, thank you for asking," Buchanan replied, "I still own my estate next door to the Bates family."

"So Jacob was your neighbor?" Jim was a little surprised.

"He was," Buchanan smiled.

Judge Buchanan finally carried Jake out to Jacob's parents. "We thought you were hogging him and never gonna come out, Joshua," Mr. Bates averred. Jim was surprised to see a limo sitting in the parking lot.

Mrs. Bates declared, "Look at him, he looks just like Jacob did at that age. I wish that we were able to take care of him, but we aged twenty years waiting for you to come out."

"We weren't in there THAT long, Martha," Judge Buchanan chuckled. "Being a normal five-year-old, Jake got a little dirty and needed to clean up."

"Can I hold him?" Martha asked.

Jim looked at Jake, "Jake, this is your birth daddy's parents. This is the fourth set of grandparents that we told you about. Can Grandma Martha hold you?"

Jake held his arms out and Martha Bates took him from Judge Buchanan. "I'm so glad that we finally get to meet you. I am happy that you have such good dads."

Jake smiled, "I am happy with Daddy and Papa, but I am glad to meet you, too. Can I call you Grandma Martha?"

Martha Bates started tearing up, "I would like that a lot, and this handsome gentleman is your Grandpa Norman."

"Wait, what?" Jim started, "Your name is Norman Bates?"

Norman had a disgruntled look on his face, "Yes, the movie came out in July and I was born in September and my parents thought it would be cute to curse me with this name. I told Martha that we were never ever naming a child after me, but he still got teased. Imagine growing up with the last name of Bates in a well-to-do neighborhood where butlers call you Master. For young Jake's sake, I won't repeat some of the comments."

Jim smiled, thinking of young Jacob going to a party and being introduced as Master Bates. "I appreciate that, and I can imagine the comments. So, what do you do, anyway?"

Norman Bates was in a teasing mood, "I run a motel with my mother." Jim looked like he was about to lose it, causing Norman to chuckle. "Seriously, I am a CPA and during tax season, Martha is lucky if she gets to see me. We wish we could have taken Jake in, but at our age, I couldn't do that to Martha."

"I'm glad that you didn't, I just love this little guy," Jim cooed.

Joshua looked at Jim and Zac, "And he loves you; we can tell. We are going to eat lunch, if you haven't eaten yet, please join us. We're hoping that in the least you allow Jake to join us, but we would like to get to know the whole family, not just Jake."

"And while we assure you, you have nothing to worry about, we love Jake and would like to be a part of his life, but he is your son. We know that if you join us, you will feel more at ease and not worry until he returns. Joshua and I would love to treat the three of you to a nice lunch," Norman urged.

"How can we say no to that?" Zac insisted.

Jim looked a little embarrassed for not expecting to go out, "Do you mind if my cousin joins us? I can pay for his, but he was helping me out and I wouldn't feel right leaving him here."

Joshua looked at Jim and kinda waved him off, "Nonsense, he's part of your family and we are treating your family so we will cover him as well."

Jim looked around for Austin and when he didn't see him outside with them, he went back into the office where Austin was talking with Jackson. "Hey, why didn't you come outside with us?"

Jim thought Austin looked a little sad, "Because they are here for Jake. I feel like an outsider."

Jim gave Austin a hug, "You are his cousin and they want to meet his family. That includes you. I'm sorry we made you feel left out. C'mon, they are taking us to lunch and I asked if you could join. Joshua said that you are family, so of course."

Austin perked up as he hugged Jim, "Thank you, you don't think I was being silly for not feeling I belonged?"

"If you felt that way, it was our fault. I should have made sure you knew that and went out with us," Jim apologized again.

Austin looked up to Jim's face and smiled. "I should have said something to you, I know you wouldn't purposely leave me out of anything."

As they went outside, Judge Buchanan approached them. "You must be Austin. Ever since Jim went inside to get you, Jake has been talking non-stop about you. To hear Jake tell it, you are the karate master of all time."

Judge Buchanan made Austin feel included and that brought a big smile to Austin's face, "It's actually a mixture of martial arts, and I'm not a master, I've only been studying for just over three years. For my age bracket, I like to think I'm above average, but I don't really know."

Looking at the sincerity in Austin's face, Judge Buchanan said, "Jake tells me that you were in Japan until a few months ago? How were you compared to the boys there?"

Austin couldn't believe, this man he didn't even know seemed to genuinely want to include him. Sure, it was because he is Jake's cousin, but still, he was being included even though he was no relation to Jake's birth grandparents. And he seemed interested. "We moved back about two months ago, I was keeping up with them, but I think I had to work harder at it."

Judge Buchanan responded to Austin, "Having to work harder only proves that you are dedicated and willing to work for what you want. Don't let anyone ever tell you it means you are inferior. If Jim had a twin and the twin was given a hundred dollars while Jim worked to achieve a hundred dollars, what would you say about the two boys?"

"I don't know, maybe that Jim would be wiser with his since he earned money," Austin guessed.

"And why wouldn't that be true with skill?" Joshua questioned. "You work hard for your belt and someone else seems to naturally get theirs, does that makes yours any more or less valuable?"

"I see your point. To me, it would be worth more because I worked for it, but they are really the same, like both hundred dollars are worth the same amount," Austin beamed, "so I shouldn't feel bad about having to work harder, either."

Joshua shook Austin's hand, "You remember that about everything in life and you will go far. Don't get cocky, but never let anyone tell you that you are inferior about anything. Sure, you may be able to beat me in martial arts, but I bet I can drive better than you, at least for now."

"I can't drive," Austin stated. "I'm only nine."

"And does that make you inferior to me?" Joshua asked.

Austin nodded, "Maybe in that area for now, but I get what you're saying. I have areas in my life where things may come natural, but I shouldn't get conceited and think I'm better than some just because they have to work at it."

Joshua explained, "The golden rule actually applies to all aspects of our lives. We should treat everyone as we would want them to treat us. You say that you had to work harder than others for your skill, would you want them to make fun of you for it?"

Austin looked shocked, "They did, how did you know?"

Joshua was taken aback a little, "I was just using that as a hypothetical question. They seriously made fun of you?"

Austin looked down and nodded his head, "And I didn't like it."

Joshua put his arm around Austin, "They were wrong for doing it, but at least you know how it feels, so hopefully you never make fun of anyone else."

"I got my revenge, though," Austin smiled.

Joshua looked sternly at Austin, "What did you do?"

Austin grinned, "I worked even harder and got my belts faster than them. I was ready to test for my black belt before moving back to the States, they were still wearing blue."

Joshua chuckled, "That's the best kind of revenge to get. Nothing illegal and only damage done was to their pride."

Austin smiled, "When I told Daddy about them teasing me, and wanting revenge, he suggested it. He said I wouldn't get into trouble this way."

"It sounds to me like your dad is a smart man and was looking out for you," Joshua declared.

Everyone got in the limo and they headed for the restaurant. Jake spotted a McDonald's and asked if they were going there to eat. "I take it, you like McDonald's," Joshua chuckled. "I promise, where we are going is far better."

The Limo pulled into the parking lot of a fancy looking restaurant. Name on the building said "La Queue du Homard." Jim was guessing that "queue" meant line, but he wasn't sure what "homard" meant.

"Actually, queue can mean line but it also means tail. Homard means lobster." Joshua explained. "The tail of the lobster would be the English translation."

Jim was a little worried about finding something Jake might like, but then, other than liver, Jake's liked almost everything. When they were seated, the hostess gave everyone a menu, including Jake. Jake was seated between Zac and Jim. "Look Papa and Daddy, I have pictures in my book," he said referring to his "kid-friendly" menu. Jim and Zac looked and sure enough, no words, just pictures of foods kids might like. Jake pointed at a picture of a cheeseburger and French fries. "Can I get that?"

Norman responded, "Anything you want, don't worry about the price."

Jim looked at the prices and couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the cheeseburger was the cheapest thing on the menu and it was twenty dollars. He thought, this food better be served on silver and gold platters at these prices. Joshua interrupted Jim's thought, "Jim, do you like lobster tail?"

Jim was a little surprised by the question, "Wh… what?"

"I asked," Joshua replied, "Do you like lobster tail? This place has some of the best lobster tail you will ever find."

Jim chuckled, "With that being the name of the place, it better be. Yes, I do like lobster tail, but for fifty dollars?"

Joshua grinned, "Norman said to not worry about the price. This is one of his clients, so he gets a massive discount, and between us, even full price, this is a drop in the bucket."

Zac chuckled, "They must have been planning on you coming, Jim. They have steak tartare on the menu."

Norman looked at Jim, "If you like raw beef, you should have their version of surf and turf. It's beef, even steak tartare as an option, and two smaller lobster tails compared to the big lobster tail." Norman ordered hor d'oeuvres and got a sampler platter. Jake made a face when he saw the snails on the platter. Jim and Austin grabbed a frog leg. Zac decided to try a snail. Jake couldn't get past the snails being on the plate and opted not to try anything. Jim tried giving him a cheese stick with bacon wrapped around it, but it was beside the snails so Jake wasn't budging.

"You haven't even tried it, how do you know if you would like it?" Jim questioned, but he wasn't wanting to try the cheese sticks either, let alone the snails. He wasn't about to say that he didn't like them, but he thought back to when he tried oysters and got sick because they were snotty, so he was very reluctant to try them.

"Eric told me that if you eat snails, they crawl around in your belly for days," Jake explained.

Zac was a little agitated, not at Jake, but at Eric. This boy picked on younger kids and lied to them. "Eric lied to you. See, the snails aren't even alive anymore so how can they crawl? See, Papa is eating them, but you don't have to, if you are adamant against eating them."

Jake replied, "Thank you Papa. I would rather not."

Jim looked at him, "I don't blame you, I don't know if I would like them either, and I'd rather not find out today. Maybe someday we'll both get the gumption to try them."

Jim chuckled as Jake had to ask, "What's gumption and where do we get it?"

Zac just loved how inquisitive a five-year-old can be and how much Jake seemed eager to learn. "Gumption is another name for courage, or being brave enough to try something."

When the waitress came, Jake ordered his cheeseburger and French fries. The waitress asked if he wanted any bacon, pickles or mushrooms on his sandwich. Surprisingly, Jake maintained himself and simply told her he would like all three. Jim and Zac whispered in his ear, complimenting him and telling him how proud they were of how he was behaving.

When the food arrived, everyone seemed happy with their meal. Jake looked at Jim's plate and giggled. "Daddy, I think your food is still mooing."

Jim smiled, "Did Papa tell you to say that?"

Jake looked at Zac real quick and then back to Jim, "Uh huh, but he said you would think it was funny."

Jim gave Jake a quick hug, "He only said that because it's true, especially coming from you."

"Can I taste your mooing cow?" Jake giggled.

Jim took a piece with his fork and placed it on Jake's plate. Jake, then used his fork and ate the piece. The boy looked at Zac, "Papa, Daddy's mooing cow taste good."

"Better than bacon?" Zac teased.

Jake shook his head, "No way, José."

Joshua looked at Jim, "I love watching the interaction of you three, and since you've agreed to let us be a part of Jake's life, I am happier than ever with the decision I made to let him be adopted. I have to admit, that until I found out he was adopted by people who love him, I regretted sending him away. You have erased that regret."

Jim smiled but had a tear running down his cheek. "My only regret is that he spent so long in that group home. When I met Zac, I felt whole but wanted to eventually adopt a son for us to rear. When Jake came into our lives, I discovered that a piece had been missing and Jake made us whole. Zac is my one true love, but Jake instantly became a part of our lives. Many people have voiced their concerns, feeling that Jake belonged with Zac and me since before we got married. Those same people have written letters of support when they heard that Tina was trying to take Jake away. When things looked their bleakest, you appeared like a super hero and saved the day. I'm glad that you want to be a part of his life and am happy that Zac and I agreed that you should be."

Norman spoke up, "That was one of the nicest speeches I have ever heard. I wish that I could clone your heart and give it to everyone. I can rest assured that Jake will grow up to be a fine young man with the two of you as his example. Martha and I live in Cody, so anytime you want to visit, you may, or we may call to see if we can come see Jake."

"I do have a question," Zac interjected. "Jim and I are considering adopting another boy so Jake has someone closer to his age play with. Of course, Jake will be starting in kindergarten when school starts back up and hopefully he'll make some friends, but we think he would like having a brother to play with."

"And if you do adopt another boy, he will be treated like he is Jake's brother and our grandson as well," Norman declared.

Joshua said that he concurred. "The only difference will be, Jake will be my sole beneficiary. If he decides to share with his brother that will be his choice. Otherwise, it wouldn't be fair to treat either one different."

"That's satisfactory with me, and eases any worries that I had. I'm glad that we all want the same thing concerning Jake and his siblings," Zac declared.

Everyone finished their meal and they took the boys back to the ranch. "I'd like to spend more time with Jake, but this weather is getting bad. We need to head home and take cover. We recommend that you do that as well," Joshua suggested. And with that, the limo left the boys at Another Chance.

The boys went into the office and found Jackson on the phone. As he hung up, he looked at the boys. "I think you should head home, I was just on the phone with Sheriff Archer and he's advising that we close the ranch to riding for the rest of the day."

"Yeah, it's looking bad out there," Jim declared as he watched his truck move several inches in the parking lot. "Ummm, guys, does Wyoming ever get tornadoes?"

Zac took Jim in his arms, "Very rarely. We did have one on May 25, 2013. It didn't have much force and Cody has never had any casualties."

"According to this website, the worst tornado Cody has ever had was on June 26, 1964, and it was only an f2 tornado. As Zac said, there were no lives lost or even any injuries. Cody is very low risk for tornadoes. In the last sixty-five years we've only had eight tornadoes." Jackson added. "Why do you ask?"

Jim looked scared, "Because I watched the wind move my truck like it was a matchbox."

"Daddy, I'm scared," Jake began to cry, clinging to Zac, but looking at Jim.

Austin looked worried as well, he moved closer to Jim, "I'm scared, too."

Jackson looked serious, "Jim, why don't you take the boys into the house and down to the basement. Get Colt while you're at it."

"What about you and Zac?" Jim questioned. Deep concern was in his voice.

Jackson offered a ray of hope, "If the weather gets any worse, we'll need to turn the horses loose so they don't end up trapped in the barn. I don't think it'll came to that, but I want you and the boys safe. If the weather gets that bad, Zac and I will come down after releasing the horses."

Jim didn't budge, "Can Zac stay with the boys? I want to be there to turn Gold free?"

"You know," Zac debated, "if Colt can stay with the boys in the basement, the three of us can release the horses faster than just two of us. There's no way I can feel safe knowing Jim is up here and I'm sure Jim wouldn't be comfortable until he knows Gold is safe and I am in the basement."

"I want to stay with you and Papa," Jake cried to Jim.

Jim took Jake in his arms and carried him into the house. "Why don't you and Austin go play a game with Colt in the basement? Daddy and Papa will be down when we know the horses are safe."

"Promise?" Jake questioned.

Jim kissed Jake's forehead, "How can I stay away from that adorable face for too long?"

Colt led the boys to the basement and set up a game of Twister to play with them. "I found this in Dad's old games, and it can get to be fun. The more people who play, the more fun it can be."

Austin looked depressed and worried, "Thanks, but I'm not interested."

"You want to spin and tell us what we need?" Colt asked.

Austin was too worried and with Jim talking about tornadoes, Twister was the last thing he wanted to play. "Do you have any other games?"

Colt picked up the Sorry! Box, "Jim and Zac must have left this game when they watched the house for us. It's still wrapped in plastic."

Jim started heading for the barn. The wind was strong enough to move his truck a few inches at a time, so he had a little difficulty getting there. Once he made it to the barn, Jim went to Gold's stable. "Hey boy, weird weather we're having. Jackson is worried about the horses in the barns. He says that you'll have a better chance of survival if you are not stuck inside a building that may be destroyed. Do me a favor and keep the horses together and keep them safe. Then when the weather gets back to normal, bring them back." Gold nodded his head and pulled Jim in for a hug. "I love you, too."

Jackson and Zac made it to the barn and started releasing the horses. Gold did his best to keep the horses together, some tried to stray but Gold dominated. "Did you ask Gold to do that?" Jackson asked.

Jim explained, "I figured that would help keep you from losing any. And Gold promised to keep them safe."

Jackson thought for a minute, "Well, either we won't lose any or we lose them all. I'm sure Gold will do his best. We need to get back to the house and down into the basement."

Zac offered a little hope, "At least the wind will push us towards the house instead of away."

As they exited the barn, Jim looked and spotted a funnel cloud forming and heading right for them. "Jackson, we need to run." They took off as fast as their legs and the wind would let them. Zac was about to close the door but Jackson advised him to keep it open.

They could hear the horse barn crumble as they started down towards the basement. Colt looked at Jim, "I hope you don't mind but we opened the Sorry! Game."

Jake looked over, "Papa, Daddy, I was worried about you and we heard a loud noise."

Zac responded, "We're safe, and as far as the game goes, that's fine. It gives you boys something to do while we're down here."

Jim pulled out his cell phone and called Heather, "Mom, there's a tornado. It already took out the horse barn but we're down in Jackson's basement. Hello, Mom are you there?" Jim looked and he lost his signal. He didn't know how much his mom had heard and now he worried that she would worried.

The lights flickered and went out.

I hope you enjoy the story and that it draws you in, wanting more. If you have any suggestions or concerns, don’t hesitate to email me.  Thoughts and suggestions are always welcomed and may or may not be implemented. Concerns will be considered and addressed as much as possible.

Also, I have created a mailing list.  If you would like to be added to it to be informed of new submission, please contact me at Zarek Dragon.  Please let me know that you read it on The Story Lovers' Website.